What is Hernia Surgery?
A hernia occurs when an organ finds its way out of an opening in a tissue or muscle that is supposed to hold it intact or in one place. Most hernias occur around the abdominal cavity between your chest and hips. However, sometimes, hernias occur in the upper thigh or groin area.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Hernia?
The most common symptom of a hernia is the visibility of a lump or a bulge in the affected body area. This lump usually disappears when the patient lies down. The lump can be most felt when touched in the standing position. Some patients also complain about pain and discomfort around the lump.
Hernias can also be asymptomatic, which means that the patient won't display any symptoms. In such a case, a hernia can only be identified or discovered through a physical exam.
What Are The Most Common Types Of Hernias?
Following are some of the most common types of hernia:
- Epigastric hernia
- Femoral hernia
- Hiatal hernia
- Incisional hernia
- Inguinal hernia
- Umbilical hernia
What Is Hernia Repair?
Hernias don't cause any life-threatening emergencies on an immediate basis. Although, it is a fact that they don't go away on their own, which means that they need to be treated either with the help of medication or surgery.
Who Needs Hernia Repair Surgery?
If you suspect symptoms of a hernia, it is recommended to see a doctor. The doctor will assess the hernia and determine how it can be treated. Doctors believe that medical care and specific lifestyle changes can minimize the symptoms of a hernia, but the most effective way to treat it is through surgery.
So, it's better if you opt for surgery to treat the hernia in the first place instead of going for medicinal treatment. There are many different kinds of hernia repair surgeries, and your surgeon will help you select the most suitable one after looking up your symptoms & overall health.
What Are The Types Of Hernia Repair?
There are three main types of hernia repair surgeries:
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Open hernia repair:
To begin the process of an open hernia repair, general anesthesia is administered to the patient, and the surgeon makes an incision to open the skin. The hernia is then either pushed back into its place or removed. Following this, the doctor seals or strengthens the weak area of the muscle with the help of stitches. In the case of larger hernias, a piece of flexible mesh is also added to help prevent the hernia from coming back out. Most patients feel fine within a day or two after the surgery. However, strenuous exercises are prohibited for six weeks after the surgery.
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Laparoscopic hernia repair:
For Laparoscopic or minimally invasive hernia repair, your abdomen will be inflated with carbon dioxide, which gives the surgeon a better look at your organs. This inflation is harmless. Then, a thin telescope-like instrument that has a camera on one end is inserted through a small incision in your abdomen to take pictures which can help guide the repair of hernia with mesh. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Patients usually recover within a week after laparoscopic surgery.
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Robotic hernia repair:
Robotic hernia repair is just like laparoscopic surgery. It uses small incisions, laparoscopes, inflation of the abdomen, and projection of the abdominal images on the screen. Robotic surgery only differs from laparoscopic surgery in the fact that the surgeon can sit on the console and operate all the surgical instruments from there.
What makes robotic hernia repair preferable are the excellent three-dimensional images of the inside of the abdomen during the procedure, which are only possible due to the use of modern tech robots.
What Is Hernia Surgery Recovery Time?
The time that one requires to heal or recover after hernia repair depends on the age of the patient, the method used, and several other factors. Usually, patients are ready to return to normal activities within 5 to 6 days after the surgery. However, one might feel a little tender or uneasy for the first two to three weeks, but the feeling goes away after a certain period.
What Are Hernia Surgery Complications?
Hernia repair is a very safe procedure, but just like any other surgery, it also comes with a few complications, which are:
- Clotting of blood: Clots occur when you don't move for a long time due to anesthesia.
- Infection: The wound might get infected in some cases.
- Pain: Some patients complain about pain on the surgery site when they are healing. This can be because of the nerve damage that happens during the procedure.
- Recurrence: Hernia can come back after the surgery, which means one might need to have another surgery if the hernia recurs.
Can Hernias Be Prevented?
In most cases, hernias can't be prevented because they are a result of certain genetic and medical reasons. However, these are a few things you can try to prevent hernia:
- Quit smoking.
- Maintain a healthy body weight so that there is no pressure on the abdominal wall.
- Refrain from lifting heavy weights because lifting heavy weights puts excess stress on the abdominal wall.
- Take a diet that is rich in fiber & drink plenty of water so that your stool is easier to pass and there is no strain on your intestines or abdomen during a bowel movement.
Hernia Operation Cost In Karachi
The cost of a hernia operation in Karachi starts from Rs. 50,000 and may go up to Rs. 180,000 depending upon the type of hernia being treated and the method opted for the surgery.
Can A Hernia Burst And Kill You?
When a hernia is left untreated, and it somehow gets strangled, the blood supply to it gets cut off, and this can have fatal consequences.
How To Relieve Hernia Pain?
You can use ice packs to relieve the discomfort and pain in your hernia.
How To Fix A Hernia Without Surgery?
Hernias don't go away without surgery. However, some nonsurgical approaches that help keep the hernia in its place are wearing a corset or a binder. This method helps ease the pain for people who might not be fit for the surgery, or they are awaiting surgery.
How Long Can You Wait Before Having Hernia Surgery?
According to research, people with hernias should get their surgery done within 10 years. However, the larger your hernia, the more difficult your surgery and recovery phase will be.
Who Is At Risk Of Developing A Hernia?
Anybody belonging to any age group or sex can get a hernia.
How To Treat Groin Hernia?
Surgery is the only way to fix a groin or inguinal hernia.
What Is Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery?
Umbilical hernia repair is a minor surgery to push the fatty lump or bulge back into its place and strengthen the abdominal wall.
